A FACILITY used by hundreds of shoppers and holidaymakers in Callington each year is to remain open thanks to the town council who officially took over ownership of the public toilets last week.

The loos were at risk of closing in Cornwall Council's plans to cut £1.5-million from its public convenience budget, but town councillors were determined not to let that happen.

Cornwall and town councillor Andrew Long said he considered the toilets to be an asset and a public service and the town council had taken a pragmatic approach to ensure the longevity of the facility.

In recent years the town council has received a grant of £16,000 from Cornwall Council to maintain and run the toilets.

Now it has taken over the freehold, the town council will fund the toilets from the precept each year.

Cllr Long said it would be up to the people of the town in the future to make their views clear on having public conveniences that they can gain access to in Callington.

He said: 'It is one of the cogs we are using in our campaign to revitalise the town. We know how well these toilets are used by the community and tourists alike and we believe they should be retained.'

The devolvement of services is being seized by the town council as the way forward — it recently took over the grass cutting from the authority. But Cllr Long said it was important to get the best deal for Callington.

He added: 'I would still urge Cornwall Council to seriously look at the funding it gives to public toilets, as reducing the budget by 50% is too much.

'We have worked hard to get a good deal on the public toilets but many parishes and towns are not in the same position.

'Cornwall Council is trying to cut too hard and too deep in terms of its services, and this is having an effect across the county.'

Callington portreeve Jeremy Gist said: 'We have been operating the toilets on behalf of Cornwall Council for several years so we have the staff and experience to do it.

'In order to safeguard the service for the people of Callington we have taken on the freehold and we are now in control of our own destiny rather than someone in Truro having it.

'Public toilets are closing all over the county.

'They are not a statutory service but we decided we had to do something about it. It is no use complaining about it once they are closed.'